Poor weather at RNAS Yeovilton put the dampeners on many aviation enthusiasts at the weekend, when one of the highlights of the model aircraft calendar largely fell victim to the weather.

More than 2,000 people had been expected to show up at the Somerset base on Saturday for its model aircraft show. Dozens of model makers from across England and Wales had also turned up in the south west, hoping to show off their flying skills.

But light downpours throughout the morning left little opportunities for the expensive kits to take flight, with many modellers reluctantly deciding not to risk it.

The Fleet Air Arm Museum at the Royal Naval base did, however, offer those who had travelled an opportunity to look around its impressive hangars, chock full of reminders from Britain's military history.

And the faint whiff of solvents from the plentiful Air model kits being made up on site added to the atmosphere.

Will Gillam, one of the show's organisers from the British Model Flying Association, admitted many were left frustrated by the rain, but said the equipment was too expensive for most to risk.